Mutineer Versus Buccaneer
The Buccaneer 18 was designed in 1968 by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs under the marine division of the Chrysler corporation. The boat was very popular, but it also created a demand for a smaller, lighter, and more affordable version of the 18-foot (5.5 m) boat. This led Macalpine-Downie and Gibbs to create another, smaller version of the Buccaneer: the Mutineer.
There are several major differences between the Mutineer and Buccaneer. The Buccaneer is 18 feet (5.5 m) long, making it 3 feet (0.91 m) longer than the Mutineer. Despite being a shorter boat, the beam of the Mutineer is comparable to that of the Buccaneer, making the boat more comfortable and stable for its size. Additionally, the Buccaneer is almost 100 pounds heavier than the Mutineer, and has a larger and higher sail plan (175 sq ft versus 150 sq ft). In general, the Mutineer is better suited for a cross-over between recreational sailing and racing whereas the Buccaneer is better suited to racing. The Mutineer is a slightly slower boat than the Buccaneer, but their speeds are comparable; their handicap ratings are 96 and 87.1, respectively.
Due to their shared history, however, there are remarkable similarities as well. The boat designs are so similar that many parts (mast, boom, tiller, shrouds, running lines) are different only in their length. The rigging hardware, centerboard, and rudder are the same on both boats, and the sails are scaled versions of each other.It is sometimes possible to substitute Mutt parts for Bucc parts, and vice versa. Finally, throughout many company changes, the Mutineer and Buccaneer have always been sold together and today both are manufactured by Nickels Boat Works
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